Freeman Gets A “75 Percent Grade”
August 4th, 2010
Through 4 1/2 days of practice, Bucs beat writer Woody Cummings, of The Tampa Tribune, is not doing cartwheels over the performance of Josh Freeman.
Cummings, speaking today on The King David Show, on WQYK-AM, said Freeman has been inconsistent and “I’d give him a 75 percent grade” for training camp.
Cummings went on to say Freeman has been battling young receivers running “wrong routes” and “dropped passes” in addition to his own struggles.
Joe thinks Freeman has looked slightly uncomfortable and he definitely was off target today in a downfield throwing drill. But Joe, as stated previously, is going to withhold any real judgement on Freeman until next Saturday against the Dolphins.
August 4th, 2010 at 4:06 pm
He will struggle some, it’s his second year. It’s all about improvement.
August 4th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
How are the backup QB’s looking so far?
August 4th, 2010 at 4:33 pm
I think it’s wise of you to withhold judgement, Joe. Of course he’ll look bad with WRs running the wrong routes, and he’s also learning the timing and tendencies of the WRs once they do learn the routes.
It will take a little time for the passing game to gel.
This is going to be fun to watch though. One by one, the young WRs will ‘get it’ and start excelling in the offense. Once they do learn things and he gets their timing down and trusts them, his stats will explode I think.
August 4th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
This is why I think it’s a bit premature to just hand the starting receiver position to Mike Williams. Sure, he’s got the physical skills, but no rookie knows how to run routes at an NFL level when they get out of college. Let Stovall start and let Mike Williams and Benn learn from guys like him and Stroughter, at least for a little bit.
August 4th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
First post by bucfanjeff is right on. There will be struggles for Freeman this season, but he’s definately showing improvement since last season.
August 4th, 2010 at 5:07 pm
Jamie…it appears he is winning the position, so what do you do in that case? Do you give it to the vet that he beat, or trust the young guy and give him the chance to grow? It is a hrad decision to make.
August 4th, 2010 at 5:15 pm
Hello people. You should have Zero Expectations of this team.
Bunch of inexperienced players, inexperienced coaches, inexperienced management will net this team A LOT of LOSES compared to the other highly organized teams in the National Football League. There are only 31 other teams, and each of those teams have hundreds of millions invested into the organization too. They also drafted players too. Many of those teams have experienced coaching staffs.
In fact, I don’t know of a head coach, QB and GM combination so young and inexperienced in the NFL?
ZeroExpectations won’t get your hopes shattered.
August 4th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
I’ll agree- was at training camp this morning and watched 5 look unsettled.. balls were thrown Trent Dilfery (wobbly) and were more frequently off target than on. Additionally other than the goal-line drills there was absolutely no (and I mean NO) sense of urgency or snappiness to the players – except for Spurlock, Stovall, Cadillac, Lynch, and Sean Jones.
Rudy Carpenter actually looked really sharp- threw some nice balls throughout the morning including some really snappy passes for TDs. Josh J looked like he didn’t want to be there at all except for one QB run. Granted it was only a practice, but if 5 goes down at all, the Bucs are in BIG trouble.
33 got smoked, 21 always seemed to be in the wrong place and nobody was coaching him (this may happen in meeting rooms later, but he was only called out once that we could here.. and he stood in front of me for two sessions)– and why was 20 practicing punt returns???
Spurlock was a champ today, though… signed autographs long after everyone else left, played every role asked of him, didn’t drop anything thrown at him, blocked, and seemed to really be busting his behind. Hopefully there’s a spot on the roster for him.
August 4th, 2010 at 7:29 pm
Josh is gonna struggle, especially working with 6 or six Wrs for the first time. Payton Manning struggles this time of year. With a veteran offense, you are ussually out of sync til the 3rd or 4th game of the season. And this isn’t a veteran offense! Progress is the goal, patience is the native tongue for a bit. Neo will be our franchise QB for years to come! It just takes time to become” the One”!
August 4th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
I can see the excuses are formulating.
“we just want progress”, blah blah blah
Loserville.
August 4th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
Damn it! Zero, are you really throwing that stupid bit out there again?!? We are so tired of that crap- it was NEVER funny, or clever, or anything except stupid!- “look, I said Zero expectations, and that’s same name I POST with!!! Ya get it!!! It’s funny!! I said it,AND it’s my name – hilarious!!!” you post anything just ta say ” Zero expecblahblah” IT AIN’T FUNNY!
August 4th, 2010 at 7:43 pm
Eric- quit whining. Takes a couple years to develop any young QB! Can’t take it, the Skyway jumper platform is quiet tonight! 7-11 is running a sale on Razor blades!! Or, you can go post for a team you do like something about! Or wait til we’re winning again, ta leap back on the bandwagon! If you can’t decide, I would recommend options A or B! But anything but Bitch like crying works for me!
August 4th, 2010 at 7:52 pm
Atlanta went to the playoffs with a rookie.
Jets.
Ravens.
2005 Bucs won the Division with Simms.
Roethlisberger won the Super Bowl his second year.
Excuses, excuses, excuses.
August 4th, 2010 at 8:01 pm
eric — the master of impaired analogies.
August 4th, 2010 at 8:15 pm
Eric
Jets had a dominating defense and run game. Ravens had a dominating defense and run game. Steelers had a dominating defense and run game. 05 Bucs had a dominating defense with a somewhat good run game. See a similarity? We right now have nothing close to a dominating defense or run game. The only one that somewhat doesnt fit is Atlanta but they over- achieved on defense and had the best run game. We dont fit along with them so for us, it takes time to develop.
August 4th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
Week 1 summary from the average fan:
1. Josh Freeman will be the worst QB since JaMarcus Russell
2. Brian Price will be in the Hall of Fame.
3. Kareem Huggins will start at RB.
…and this is why week 1 of training camp doesn’t meant sh*t …
August 4th, 2010 at 8:29 pm
Yup, Atlanta had an established team, that needed a QB. The Bucs are a young team,that is finally emerging from the apocalyptic drafting styling of the previous regime! When you combine the horrific ” pointless motion offense”, with the Furher personality of the Lil Coach, the tomb robbing that went on to find players, and overall unprofessionalism that led to an all out player REVOLT!, it’s amazing this team has been able to rebound this fast!! It’s really a miracle!! Like surviving having your Car Hit a tree at 120 miles an hour, then climbing outta the wreckage! It’s a miracle! Sometimes I just can’t believe how quickly they’ve overcome the TRAMA of that train wreck! It’s probably cause they’re young! I think the can go 8-8 this year! Considering where they’ve been, I still can’t get over it
August 4th, 2010 at 8:30 pm
Lol, batter up., Eric, that should help ya shake of the lethargy!
August 4th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
I went to practice today. Freeman is struggling and no Capt Tim, Payton doesnt struggle like this.
Myron Lewis is completely lost right now. Cody Grimm is slow and undersized. Rah is still running a looose ship and I hate it.
On the bright side, Stovall was great, the best player on the field. Ruud and T Jax look excellent. Talib is Talib. On the Josh Johnson was surprisingly sharp.
Not being able to compare this group to other teams it is difficult to gauge where they are – but the feeling is a youthful and loose atmosphere – and I am not sure how that translates. My guess: very badly.
August 4th, 2010 at 9:06 pm
Remember… JF has started 9 games in the NFL, half a season. This may be his second year, but in reality he’s still very much a rookie.
August 4th, 2010 at 9:18 pm
Ledge – agreed in part. I dont expect much from him yet and altogether I think he has been better than expected.
However, I don’t like how these guys have turned to setting expectations low, not being accountable this year for an ugly season and so on.
3-13 and the like does not have to happen, and repeated 3-13 like seasons absolutely dont need to happen. This is the NFL, in the age of free agency, without salary cap restrictions. WE dont know how its going to shake out, but the signs are not good.
August 4th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
Glad to see Raheem running it into the ground in year 2!
Can’t wait for him to bury himself in the grave he already dug last season.
August 4th, 2010 at 10:33 pm
I don’t agree with the conventional wisdom that Rah inherited a team in shambles and that this team has no talent.
This team has a returning above average offensive line that has played together. How many head coaches walk into a ready made offensive line, one of the hardest areas of any team to develop? Better than average running backs with depth. Brought in an All pro-tight end.
Very good secondary, perhaps the best in the Division. Emerging pro-bowlers in Talib and Jackson.
A good Middle Linebacker. Some developing young linebackers.
And, the stupendous draft.
I believe a good coach could kick some booty and get this team in contention for a wild card. (and the Division if the idiots had gotten BM)
As for Freeman, i think 15-20 tds and 10 or less INTs plus 2800+ passing yards are reasonable goals for a First Round Draft Choice.
Unfortunately, I can’t picture Rah seizing the day and getting the most out of this team.
But this “we just wanna improve” crap is just totally sickening. I can’t believe what I am reading.
We are the Bucs not the Lions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 4th, 2010 at 10:51 pm
So many people have differing opinions. Even on the two people in this thread that said they went to practice, one said JJ did badly, one said he looked sharp.
@RahDomDaBest
1) Not even close to being right. But there is no chance of convinsing you of that, so I won’t try.
2) Brian Price better not be the only DT in the HoF when all is said and done on this team.
3) Perhaps eventually, but not this year…and honestly, I doubt ever. He’s the new Mr August…and Peanut is much, much better than he is (Peanuts fumbling issue is being addressed).
Not to mention Ward…who I am sure will do much better this year.
@RahDomDaBest
So…you want the team buried and doing poorly, huh? You actually want them to lose just so that you can be proven right? What happens if Raheem has a winning season this year and a 2 game playoff appearance next year? Will you still hope he get’s buried?
And finally:
@Ledge
A very good point…not to mention Freeman had better stats than the otehr two rookie QBs from the first round last year. I think he’s going to be great, personally.
However, part of me suspects he will be one of those great QBs that has high interception totals in the early years. And knowing this town..the fans of this team will be crying for him to be benched after his 3rd loss.
August 4th, 2010 at 10:57 pm
Same with Stroughter Ledge.. and you are correct.
August 5th, 2010 at 3:21 am
Thomas, I have been to both Indy and , years ago, buffalo. Manning and Jim Kelly both struggle and look terrible early in camp. New wrs, new linemen, etc. Does that to every Qb! Tampa always thinks it’s just our Qb! Yes, Freeman is basically a rookie. But he won some games last year, with no camp time, 2 offensive coordinators/ Schemes, and almost no reps in practice til week 9! With an off season, and some stability, he should improve dramatically of what he did last year, knowledge wise. And he was impressive then.
August 5th, 2010 at 7:58 am
Eric- lol . ” this team has an above average line returning” thank God! The one we’ve had has never been “above average” Midiocre at best, despite it’s highly rated components! Let me know when they arrive, and if the are bring that great running back stable with them! Hey, does that above average line travel with any backups? Cause we seem to be a Lil short at depth everywhere! Meybe that conventional wisdom is a Lil clearer on the subject than yours, tinted as they are!
August 5th, 2010 at 8:57 am
Hey guys, it is a week into training camp, how can you already be counting them out? Poor ecuse for fans!
August 5th, 2010 at 9:30 am
Capt Tim.
Basically the same 0-line that won two Division Titles and Three winning seasons, all in the last four years.
Naturally, the Dream couldn’t get any production out of them, just like every other aspect of the team.
August 5th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Thomas…What do you mean they have low expectations? The coaching staff thinks they are going to the playoffs? Where did you hear that Dom and Morris are not holding anyone accountable and are fine with a losing season?
August 5th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
@Capt Tim…You should stop trying with Eric. If newes broke that Manning was traded to the Bucs, he would still say it does not matter since they did not get BM.
August 5th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Gruden lovers will never be happy with Ra and Dom……..Period!!!!!!!!
August 5th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
@Karl
There is far more fact to that statement when it reads like this:
Dungy lovers will never be happy with Gruden, even though Gruden won Tampa it’s ONLY Super Bowl. Dungy lovers have hated on Gruden for 5+ years straight.
As for Raheem Morris, the guy already lost 13 games, in ONE season, with only 3 wins to show for.
Why wouldn’t any ‘normal’ fan of the Buccaneers be upset? I mean, the owners fired the winningest coach in Tamap’s history, a guy with 3 division titles and a Super Bowl, after coming off a 9-7 season, replaced with 3-13. Why would this be even remotely acceptable?
Those same Gruden lovers as you claim they are, I think are the real Buccaneer fans who are quite frustrated with the odd moves the owners have made as of recent.
The REAL fans were happy with both Dungy and Gruden. But ANYTIME ANY TEAM replaces a Super Bowl, Division titles and winning seasons with 3-13, ANY FANBASE IN THE WORLD WOULD QUSTION THIS.
Get off the koolaide Raheem apologists. Get off the koolaide.
August 5th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
Javier…I am a HUGE fan of both gruden and Dungy. Do not forget though that Gruden had a 4 win season as well. You are right that all fan basis get upset with a 3 – 13 season, but reasonable fans also realise that ALL teams rebuild at some point. It is too soon to say Morris will never have succes as a head coach, let’s see them play this year before we make that judgement. I like Morris as well, but he has not moved into my iconic Bucs coach list just yet.
August 5th, 2010 at 2:56 pm
Javier, Very well put. Watch Karl spelled with a K though. He will hold your feet to the fire for any grammar errors.